LetYourSpiritGrow.com Blog

If you find that you have frequent problems surrounding your mood and emotions, then the first thing to remember is that you are by no means alone. Everybody struggles with low mood from time to time, and it can be caused by a whole bunch of reasons - or sometimes for no apparent reason at all. But if you are finding that you have ongoing problems with trying to feel better and failing, then it might be time to take action. Notwithstanding the fact that you might want to see your doctor and just make sure you are not suffering from depression, there are other things you can do to radically improve your mood for good. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective, proven methods.

One of the best things you can do in this situation is to take a stand and actively improve your health. This works for a number of reasons. For a start, the mind and body are inextricably linked. Really, they could be said to be two sides of the same coin. Whatever you are doing with regards to one, you can also see the effects on the other. It is also true that even by simply making the promise to yourself that you will try to live a healthier life, you are going to put yourself in a better mood, because you will be proud of yourself. And then there is the fact that certain specific steps which you take will actively help your mental health along too. Cutting out bad habits like smoking have been proven to improve your mood, and if you use a vape with various e juice flavors you should find that the withdrawal is manageable too. Make these little changes to your health, and your mind will respond in kind.

The Gratitude Attitude

You might have heard about this one - if not, it is surprisingly powerful. There is much debate as to how or why it really works, and nobody knows for sure, but when you express a great deal of gratitude, it tends to bring about more favorable circumstances in your life. This might sound strange, but it is worth trying if you are keen to permanently improve your mood. Even if you think you don’t have much to be grateful for, you should try sitting down and coming up with a list of things which you are grateful for. In fact, if you think there isn’t anything, then you could especially benefit from this exercise.

Give More Than You Get

Speaking of seemingly magical acts, another one which is always bound to help your mood along is to make a conscious effort to give out more than you receive. When you give, it is an unconscious signal that you are in possession of more than you need. And because of this attitude, before long you will find things coming your way. Either way, it will practically help you to feel better about yourself in the long run, and that is what we are going for here.

All the private jokes that the two of you shared, the bunches of flowers, the date nights, and love - everything; they’re all gone now, and you don’t know how to function anymore. You’re scared about what the future holds, you’re sad about what you’ve lost, and no matter how hard you try you can’t seem to get rid of that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach. It’s a like a bad dream that you can’t wake up from, no matter how hard you try to. You just wish, more than anything else in the world that things could go back to how they were before - when your life made sense.

Coping with a breakup isn’t easy, it’s totally and completely heartbreaking. Right now it might feel as if you’ll never be happy again, but there is light at the end of the tunnel - that’s a promise. It will take time for you to heal and get back to being happy again, but with time, you will get there. Here are some things that you can do to help yourself heal and get back to feeling like yourself again. Give yourself time Breaking up with someone or being broken up with warrants grief. When a relationship ends, it’s natural to grieve what you’ve lost, so don’t worry about feeling okay right away. It’s perfectly fine to take some time to grieve your loss - cry, scream, do whatever you have to, to make yourself feel better again. While it’s perfectly fine to let your emotions flow and do a lot of crying, it’s not okay to let your grief overwhelm you. Right now it might seem like the end of the world, but in time, as the wound heals you will start to feel better and will smile and laugh again. Focus on feeling goodOne of the best ways to start feeling happy again after a breakup is to focus on feeling good about yourself. Once you’ve passed the only-eating-ice-cream stage, focus on eating healthy foods and exercising on a regular basis. By focusing on yourself, you will feel happier and more in control of the situation, because you're not letting your grief overwhelm you. Studies have shown that after breakups, a lot of women lose their confidence, so it’s important to find ways to get it back. A great way to do so is to treat yourself to some new pieces of clothing, such as some new going out clothes, a new designer bag, or some new fancy Vanilla nightwear. It’s amazing how much more confident updating your wardrobe can make you feel after a breakup. Getting your hair done or treating yourself to a makeover could also be another way to give your self-esteem the boost it needs. It's funny how much happier a new hairstyle can make you.Stop blaming yourself Don’t dwell on what went wrong and what you could have done differently. Blaming yourself for the breakup will only make things worse. No matter what caused your relationship to break down, you need to realise that you’re not to blame, or at least, you're not the only one to blame - remember, it takes two. You can wallow in self-pity and blame yourself all you like, but it won’t change anything. Your relationship is over - as much as it hurts to hear that, it’s true. You need to try to move on so that you can start to get your life back on track. Break ups are hard; there’s no doubt about that. It can take time to heal and get back to feeling happy again. Hopefully, the tips and advice above will help to make recovering from a breakup that little bit easier for you.

We all deserve to feel positive about ourselves and see our plans for the future become a success. However, we can’t do that while we’re bogged down by bad habits that have us constantly harried, harassed, and kept distracted by pressures that shouldn’t be there. So, it’s time to look at the habits that are getting in the way of the best you.

Losing track of our resourcesTime, money, and effort. Those are three assets we all have to learn to manage. If we misuse our time and effort, we lose those days we could better use to accomplish our goals. If we misuse our money and get into bad financial habits, we can get into debt that is only going to distract us further from what we want to accomplish. Set goals and start getting organized. Don’t lose track of your time, making sure you make a small accomplishment every day. More important still is always keeping an eye on your money by creating a budget that means you don’t have to spend as much time thinking about it.

An addiction to stressSome people believe that a healthy level of stress is important for pushing us to accomplish more. It can feel like a rush, getting mentally backed up against a wall. But we have to learn how to detach from it again. Find your key to relaxation. Otherwise, that occasional exhilaration can become an oppressive force that doesn’t go away.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/medical-tablets-pharmacy-cure-56612/

Self-sabotageMore important than any other on this list is taking care of our body. We all develop habits that can cause serious long-term damage to ourselves. We need to climb back out of these habits. The path is never clear of painless, whether it’s withdrawing from cigarettes and caffeine or getting real help and treatment for substance use disorders. However, as long as we carry our self-sabotaging efforts with us, we are never thinking with our best interest at heart. Instead, those habits are an ever-present pressure exerting on us and pushing us to serve that one instinct.

Missing the start of the dayIt might sound small, but appreciating the start of the day is important. It gives us time to think about our challenges and meditate on how to get over them and accomplish our goals. It also simply gives us more time to get ready, eat breakfast and relax. Too many of us wake up too late and rush out the gate, our tempo ever dictated by that late start.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/nature-insect-cobweb-spider-62308/

Being with the wrong peopleWe are influenced by the voices around us, whether we admit to it or not. Being open to criticism and other viewpoints is healthy. It helps us be more self-aware. But it’s important to know when you have a naysayer in your life or someone who constantly drags you down. We need to know when to prioritize ourselves and when to say ‘no’ to those who can’t understand that you have your own goals.

The most important thing about fighting these habits are that you don’t need to go it alone. Talk to your doctor. Get some financial help. Look for new friends. Sometimes, the extra perspective, the accountability of it, can be just what you need.

All too often we confuse our priorities. We believe that we are in competition with those around us; in competition for university places, job positions, promotions, everything. But this is wrong. We shouldn’t be in competition with others. We should be helping others, and the best way to do that is to be in competition with ourselves. Matty Mullins said it best when he said, “the only person we should try and be better than is the person we were yesterday.”

By growing as a person we can help others grow, and that should be the goal of life. Not competition by collaboration. There is rarely anything in life as rewarding and meaningful as the pursuit of your own development, the pursuit of your own betterment, because through these improvements we are able to gain more from our lives; whatever more may mean to you. What’s more, the potential for this growth is limitless; we can always learn more and we can always improve who we are, and that means we can forever reap the rewards of such a journey.

The question is, how do you become a better person than you were yesterday or a better person than you were this morning? There is no simple answer, nor and short-cuts or quick methods. It is a journey, a long journey, and one that requires you make a conscious effort. However, we have come up with an extensive list to help you in your pursuit for betterment and self-fulfillment.

1. Write A LetterThis isn’t just any letter, though, nor is it for anyone to read. It is a letter to you, to your future self, one that details your concerns and your hopes, one that explains who you hope to be in three years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now. Notice that this is not about where you want to be, but about who you want to be. The other thing you could do is write several letters to yourself that almost plans your progress. Write one that details what sort of person you want to be a year from now, two years from now, and so on. Put them in sealed envelopes, date them, make a note in your calendar and open them on these dates. It will help you see your progress.

2. Stay PositiveA positive outlook attracts a positive energy. The reason for this is because by adopting a positive mental attitude we are giving ourselves more power; we believe we have more control over our lives and our future. This is the basis for The Secret Law of Attraction teachers who encourage this idea of like attracts like, and that positivity can help you make huge accomplishments in a person’s self-development. Little good comes from negativity because it prevents us from striving for more, so try and remain as positive as you can for as long as you can.

3. Read Lots And OftenEven with the rise of the internet, books remain one of the best sources of wisdom, so the more you read the more you can absorb, the more you expose yourself to, the wiser you become through osmosis. It could be non-fiction books that walk you through topics you’ve never been exposed to, like bereavement, mental health, spiritual healing. However, it could also be finding new ways of thinking and opinions through novels, those that explore human feelings, from love to regret, doubt to optimism. It could be poetry books, poetry collections, short verses; finding hope in the loss of others, finding kismet understanding in words and feeling your soul latch onto another's. The more you read the more you are exposing yourself to new ways of thinking and exploring new possibilities you didn’t know existed prior.

4. Learn A LanguageNot only does learning a language encourage a new sense of self-fulfilment. It teaches you the invaluable skill of learning a new language, the methods in which you learn best, a new way of acquainting yourself with new languages and an encouraging exposure to new cultures, all of which are completely mind-opening experiences. But with the learning of a new language comes an endless chance for betterment as you meet and converse with more people, new people, people you had no way of communicating with or learning from before, and that will have a huge impact on your pursuit for personal development. 5. Improve Your Skill BaseThere has never been a better or easier time to learn new things than now. The internet offers a free education. It offers answers, lots of answers, a myriad of answers to any questions you may have; it is just a matter of going onto Google and asking. However, the internet has also brought about the chance to learn new skills, take online courses or find schools nearby that offer courses. It could be you spend a couple of years learning how to be a carpenter, or do a Masters in philosophy, or take an online creative writing course, or learn how to self-publish a book. The opportunities are endless, and that means your chance to grow is endless too. 6. Face Your FearsIt is one of the most challenging things anyone can do, but also one of the most rewarding. Overcoming what was once impossible can make you feel invincible and set you off on a journey. Fears prevent us from growing, they hold us in one place, or steer us away from a part of life that we may enjoy, and excel in. So it is very important you try and overcome these fears, or separate the fear from the danger. A lot of the time, as with everything, it is just a matter of attitude, so why not start viewing your fears in a new light. Look at them simply as things you have yet to try or address, things that will see you grow in leaps and bounds.7. Accept Your FaultsNo one is perfect, and that is part of the reason why you may be taking this journey to betterment, to help you get closer to this idea of perfection, or at least you idea of what perfection is. However, that is impossible without recognizing your flaws and accepting them. The best way to do this is to understand them and analyze them. Start to understand what sets them off and how you can address them so that they are no longer a negative part of your personality, your character, who you are. 8. Learn From Others. A great way to know who you want to be is looking for inspiration in other people. Make a note of the people who inspire you and make a note of exactly what it is about them that inspires you. It could be their determination, their kindness, their warmth, the humility; it could be anything. Alternatively, make a note of people that don’t inspire you, people that you don’t want to turn out like. And once again, make a note of the qualities that make them this way. It could be bitterness or jealousy or anything, but make a note and do your best to eradicate these traits from who you are. 9. Don’t Get ComfortableNothing incredible ever came from someone’s comfort zone, and that’s because comfort zones contain us instead of pushing us. It is only when we step out of comfort zones that we challenge ourselves and our perceptions, and these challenges are what help us grow. It can be hard realizing you are stuck in your comfort zones, but a good way to address it is to shake things up, to try new things, to break your routine, and expose yourself to new things and new people. This will see you have to adapt to your new circumstances and surroundings, and that is a process of growth like no other. 10. Push Your Brain to ThinkWatching television is an activity that tends to numb us instead of growing us. Yes, it is a wonderful source of information when used properly, but why not reduce the time you spend watching television and spend your time pushing your mind instead. Take up chess, or backgammon; something that requires you to use your brain in a strategic and analytic way. It will exercise this part of your brain that will help you think differently in the real-world, and to act more strategically will only benefit you. 11. Meditate MoreMeditation is a fantastic way to take more control over your mind and your thoughts, and use them to channel a better energy around your body. It is a great way to deal with stress and learn how to be calmer and more conscious. It helps you declutter the swirling, whirling mess of thoughts that often clutter our thought process and prevent us from seeing clearly, which can be addressed with as little as ten minutes of meditation a day. It is a fantastic method to encourage betterment and growth.

Healthy living is something we all strive towards. In a fast moving modern environment with so many commitments on your time, it may seem challenging to keep up a healthy lifestyle. However, healthy living doesn’t have to involve a huge amount of time and energy. A few tweaks to your lifestyle can make the world of difference when it comes to your health. Take a look at this advice for improving your health and wellbeing.Your DietMany people try to go on crazy diets as a way of losing weight quickly. However, many of these only offer a short term fix and will not improve your health in the long run. Make sure your diet is balanced, with enough of all the basic food groups. Have three square meals a day, and remember that dinner doesn’t have to be the largest one of the day. Try to avoid heavy meals in the summer months. Also, avoid eating too close to bedtime. Reduce your intake of saturated fats and added sugars as much as possible. Control your portion sizes and try to avoid too much snacking throughout the day. When you do snack, go for fruit or nuts to satisfy your hunger.

Your FitnessBuild fitness regimes into your daily routine. If you do something on a regular basis, it will form a habit. Try to space your workouts throughout the week, rather than cramming everything into one session. Many health professionals are now recommending 30 active minutes per day. Regular exercise has been shown to help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Exercise has also been shown to improve your mental wellbeing, as well as your physical strength and endurance. If you have not exercised in a long time, start small and build up over time.Your BodyMore information is available than ever before when it comes to keeping your body healthy. There are numerous types of healthcare app out there so if you start to become ill, you can identify your symptoms and be better placed to receive treatment. Make sure to consult your doctor if you notice any serious changes to your health, or if you find anything on your body that gives you cause for concern.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/doctor-surgeon-hospital-34983/

Your RisksWe all know that tobacco usage contributes to a large number of deaths per year, and it has been linked to numerous other health risks. There are a number of techniques out there that will help you quit, so do plenty of research beforehand. Alcohol has also been linked to thousands of deaths and accidents per year as well, so try to cut back on your usage and you should find improvements to your physical and mental health. Avoid excessive sun exposure, and remember to use sunscreen when you are heading out on hot days. Also, avoid any high risk behaviour when you are driving or operating any other type of machinery that could cause harm.

Is there anything quite as irritating as itchy skin? Tightness, dryness or a feeling that an army of ants are marching all over your body are just some of the symptoms! But why exactly does your skin feel so irritated? Here are five possible causes.

https://pixabay.com/p-1200933/?no_redirect

1. You Have a Medical ConditionAn overgrowth of yeast in the body can cause itchy and inflamed skin. This can be caused as a result of antibiotics (as they kill the ‘good bacteria’ as well as the bad) pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes and immune system issues to name a few. Even hormone imbalances or poor diet could be to blame. If you’re spending a fortune on athlete’s foot medicine and are fed up with the itchy sensation caused by yeast overgrowth, it’s important to get to the bottom of it. Other conditions causing itchy skin are eczema and psoriasis. It’s important to visit a doctor or dermatologist if you suspect you have these so you can seek the right treatment.

2. Your Skin is SensitiveEven if you don’t have a medical condition, some people’s skin is naturally more sensitive than others. Certain perfumes, materials or chemicals in products like washing powder can cause a reaction leading to inflamed skin, rashes, and itchiness. Choose products which are specifically targeted for sensitive skin to avoid this issue, using all natural and organic skincare can help too. Don’t scrub at your skin and be as gentle as possible to avoid a reaction.

3. The Weather Is To BlameMost of us suffer from skin issues when the weather is bad. First gale force winds and rain make it sensitive, and central heating strips out the moisture. Protect your skin as much as possible, try to avoid spending too long out in the elements. Face against the wind when you again, and use nourishing products to both protect and put back the hydration that’s lost.

4. You’re Not Using The Right ProductsSpeaking of products, not using the right ones or not sticking to a skincare routine could be one reason why your skin feels irritated. Dryness can lead to it feeling tight and uncomfortable. Invest in a day cream, night cream, eye cream and facial oil targeted to your skin type and stick to your routine. Using face masks every now and again too can help to replenish skin. A moisturizing body butter after a bath will help to keep the rest of your body from feeling dry. Gently exfoliating a few times a week is useful too, this will remove any dead skin flakes and freshen up your complexion. Be sure to use a facial exfoliator on your face and a body exfoliator on your body. Body scrubs are harsher and can damage delicate facial skin.

5. Your Bathwater Is Too HotFinally, submerging yourself into a piping hot bath might be just what you need after a long day, but it can dry out your skin. Having the temperature down a notch, or at least washing your face separately in cooler water can help to improve issues.

When people get sick, one of their first concerns in the process of getting better. Taking medicine and undergoing treatments is never pleasant. But, you don’t have to be afraid. Too many people are terrified of medical treatment. And, this will usually lead to people ignoring problems. But, this can make them much worse. It’s important to make sure that you get treated for any issue, as early as possible. To help you out, this post will be designed to take the fear away. And, make you feel confident about your treatment.

People get scared of treatments because they usually sound worrying. Things like radiotherapy and surgery are worrying to people because their names are daunting. Of course, this isn’t very well founded. Other people are worried because they don’t like having things put into their body. Whether it be medicine or someone’s hands; the idea can be a gruesome one. A lot of people end up skipping treatments because of this. But, this can lead to issues becoming much worse. When it comes to your medical treatment, it’s important to make sure that you do everything you can. Even if you’re worried to do so.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeman04/14100164148

A great example of a treatment people worry about is radiation treatment. We all know that radiation isn’t good for us. So, why would it be good to blast it into your body? Well, radiation destroys cells. And, certain cells tend to get destroyed first. Things like cancer can be made much smaller through the use of radiation. And, there isn’t much to fear. There are usually some negative side-effects with this sort of treatment. But, these are well documented. It’s very rare that these side effects become anything more than a minor inconvenience. And, it’s even more unlikely that the radiation itself will cause any long-term issues. These sorts of treatments have been used for decades. And, they’re proven to be safer than what they’re designed to destroy.

In most cases, you can completely trust your doctor. Getting into their role will often take years. So, it takes true dedication to get there. The drive to do this is usually born from the want to help people, which means that they wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. As long as no mistakes are made, the treatments you’re given will be completely safe. Doctors can’t lie to you about how safe a treatment is. So, if you feel concerned, it can be worth simply asking them what they think. They will be able to provide accurate and fact-based information; untarnished by false ideas. Most doctors will be very upfront about this, and you won’t have to worry about asking them.

Hopefully, this will ease the stress you feel before your next treatment. It can be hard to feel confident about this sort of thing. So, it’s worth making sure that you do everything you can to boost your confidence. Reading about other people’s experiences of treatments is a great way to get an idea of what you should worry about.

When a lot of people hear about certain medical conditions, the first thought is how difficult life must be for the afflicted. People thank their lucky-stars that they don’t have to deal with these issues. But, problems can spring up at anytime. And, the best way to make this sort of event better, is with preparation. Knowing what you need to do under certain circumstances can make the ordeal a lot better. To help you out, this post will be going through some everyday ailments, that can have a severe impact on your life. Along with that, it will also explain how you can work to avoid the problems.Most people would consider a life without sight to be impossible. Of course, life like this would be hard. We rely heavily on sight to do most of our day-to-day tasks. In fact, right now, you’re using your sight to read this post. The importance of sight is obvious. But, so few people actually do anything about it. A very common cause of blindness is Glaucoma. This condition results in increasing pressure of the fluid within the eye. As pressure increases, the optic nerve gets damaged, causing a loss of sight. Thankfully, Glaucoma is easy to spot and treat. But, with the myriad of eye problems out there, it’s important to make sure that you’re keeping on top of it.One of the best ways to make sure that your eyes are healthy is by visiting an optician. They will be able to test your eyes and will notice anything that could cause trouble in the future. When it comes to your eyes, treatments are usually available as long as you catch the issue early enough. Along with visits to a professional, you can also test yourself at home. Performing a test once or twice a week, that remains the same, will give you a good benchmark to tell if your eyes are getting worse. Only you can see through your own eyes. So, only you can spot a problem at the earliest stages.Deafness is another common issue that people struggle to live with. Being deaf presents a lot of challenges. Not being able to hear people talk makes it very hard to communicate with others. Along with this, you can’t hear threats to your safety. So, life can be more dangerous. You can’t consume a lot of different entertainment mediums, which rely on sound. Deafness can be caused by a lot of things. But, usually, it’s caused by the person themselves. Of course, some people are born deaf. So, this is only considering those who become deaf later in life. Avoiding this sort of issue is usually a matter of being careful with your ears. Listening to loud music all the time will damage your ears over time. And, if you work somewhere loud, the noise could make you deaf. You shouldn’t expose yourself to loud noise regularly. If you have to, it’s best to use ear protection. Most people will be able to notice a loss of hearing. In most cases, this sort of issue isn’t treatable. Instead, when the issue gets worse, you’ll have to rely on aids that amplify certain sounds.The idea of not being able to swallow is a nightmare for a lot of people. You can’t enjoy your favourite foods. Instead, you have to make do with liquid meals or systems that feed directly to your stomach. Of course, living like this also presents issues when it comes to lifestyle. It can make it hard to join other people for meals out. And, it can make it hard to go on long day trips. There are loads of issues that can cause difficulty when swallowing. One of the major causes can be cancer or other unwanted cell growth. These sorts of issues can block passageways in the body, making it hard for food to pass through. The sort of issues that you have will change the way that you can deal with it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/59632563@N04/6104068209

In most cases, this issue will be the result of larger problem. So, it’s important that you see a doctor to get help. But, you may find that they simply give you liquid meals to get through. For most, this isn’t enough. This means that you have to take matters into your own hands. To do this; you need to do some research. Swallowing therapy has come a long way. Using simple techniques, you can make it much easier for your body to do what it’s meant to do. It doesn’t involve taking chemicals, which might not solve the issue. And, it’s safe. So, it’s a no-brainer, really.

Recent studies have indicated that joint problems are an evolutionary trait that homo sapiens have developed over time. Examples of other homo-species indicate that we’re the only one to encounter such issues. Helping your joints is usually a matter of doing the right things for your body. Protecting your joints can be hard, though. With things like arthritis striking most people, it can be hard to see an end to the pain.

Most joint pain can at least be soothed. Having long baths, or floating in pools can make it easier. Some people are naturally predisposed to joint pain. This means that whatever they do, they will never escape it. But, in this position, you can do some damage control. Joint pain can often be brought on faster by too much coldness. If you live somewhere cold, it can be worth making sure that you wrap-up extra warm. Jobs that include a lot of stress on joints can also cause problems.

Even doing the wrong types of exercise can make life harder. So, it’s worth making sure that you do as much research as possible to avoid problems.

Hopefully, this will help you when it comes to maintaining the parts of your body that you use the most. Most people will struggle to live their lives with these issues. And, most people want to avoid them. But, simply wanting something isn’t enough. You need to put in the work to make sure that you keep your body in check.

There’s so much going around at this time of year that the chances are you will most probably fall foul to a cough, cold, stomach bug, or something else at one point or another, leaving you feeling a little under the weather. When it comes to feeling unwell, one of the problems that a lot of us have is getting back on our feet, because a lot of illnesses tend to drag on and on. Whether you’ve been suffering from a nasty bout of flu, have had a stomach bug, or have just been feeling a little out of sorts, you need to take the time to rebuild your body. The term ‘rebuilding your body’ may sound a little odd but what it means is building up your immune system and health, allowing you to get back on your feet and feeling good again. If you’re currently feeling a little under the weather, here are some tips to bear in mind.

https://pixabay.com/p-945881/?no_redirect

Drink plenty of fluids When you’re feeling under the weather, drinking plenty of fluids is a must. While it’s fine not to eat if you don’t feel hungry, it’s important to ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids. If you fail to do this, you could become dehydrated, leading to a lack of energy and a lower immune system. So, it’s crucial that you are drinking plenty of fluids. As well as drinking at least two litres of water each day, drinking green tea can be a good option. Green tea is packed full of antioxidants, meaning that if you drink green tea on a regular basis, it will help to detoxify your liver, boosting the immune system. Another drink that is a must if you’re feeling unwell is hot honey and lemon. Mix half the juice of a lemon with boiling water and a teaspoon or two of honey - use Manuka honey or good quality local honey, and it’s even better. Honey has antibacterial properties so is ideal for helping to kill any lingering germs. Eat lots of healthy, wholesome foodsWhen it comes to boosting your immune system, what you are feeding your body with plays a big part. It’s not just about eating healthily, although that does help - it’s about putting the right foods into your body. Take kiwi, for instance; this contains more vitamin C than an orange - vitamin C is crucial for a healthy immune system. So, if you’re feeling under the weather, eating plenty of kiwi is a must, as it will help to give your immune system the kick it needs. Another fantastic food to eat when you’re feeling unwell is live yogurt. Live yogurt is packed full of good bacteria that can aid digestion, giving you a healthier and happier stomach. Garlic and ginger are another two foods that it’s recommended that you eat when you’re unwell. This is because Garlic is naturally antibacterial and has antiviral properties, meaning that it can help to fight off infections. Aim to eat four cloves of fresh garlic a day, or if you’re not keen on eating so much garlic and are worried about the odor, try using odorless garlic tablets instead. As for ginger, ginger raises the body temperature, causing you to sweat - sweating can often lead to you to sweat out toxins and bad bacteria, speeding up the healing process.

https://pixabay.com/p-686392/?no_redirect

See your doctor When we’re feeling under the weather, a lot of us put off seeing a doctor. There are many reasons why we do this: these include not feeling like it’s necessary, not wanting to waste their time, and worrying about the cost of medical treatment. However, if you’re feeling unwell and haven’t been yourself for over a week, it’s always a good idea to go and get checked out by a doctor. Don’t worry about wasting your doctor’s time, if you’re feeling unwell, then no doctor is going to think of you as a time waster. Honestly, when it comes to your health, it’s always best to be safe than sorry - ask any doctor, and they will tell you the same thing. If you’re worried about covering the cost of your treatment, there are various prescription assistance programs that you could look into applying for, helping to keep the cost of any medicine that you need low. Have a steamy bath Obviously, if you’re already feeling dizzy, getting in a hot bath is a big no-no. However, a steamy bath can help to get rid of any bad bacteria that are still lurking in your body. So, if you’re feeling up to it, spend 20-minutes or so sat in a hot bath, breathing in the steam. If you can’t face a hot bath, simply sit in the bathroom with the hot water and steam - this should work just as well as actually getting in the bath. De-stress with yoga Various studies have shown that high levels of stress can lower our immune systems. So, if you want to speed up your recovery time, you need to ensure that you are as calm and relaxed as possible, as any stress will just slow down the healing process. A great way to de-stress is by practicing a form of meditation-based exercise, such as yoga or pilates. If you’re feeling up to it, you could attend a local class, or if you don’t fancy leaving the house, you could always practice yoga or pilates at home - there are plenty of tutorials online. It doesn’t matter how or where you practice yoga or pilates, just as long as you are effectively using one of these forms of exercise to reduce your stress levels. The lower your levels of stress, the better, especially when it comes to healing after a bout of illness. When you’re feeling under the weather, you need to take the time to rebuild your body (and your immune system). By taking note of the tips above and implementing them, you can speed up the process and get back to feeling well again in no time at all.

A lot of us don’t prioritize our health nearly as much as we should. We tend to be very busy and preoccupied with the world around us – how can we worry about our own health when we have our jobs and our families and our partners and our friends to focus on? Pretty much every mom has experienced one of those summer days when she focuses so hard on getting her kids covered in sunscreen that she forgets to apply her own and ends up pink and peeling. But the best way to be present and happy in your everyday life is to make sure that your own health is on point – here are some of the symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore…

Back Pain

https://pixabay.com/en/adult-back-view-girl-hair-hands-1868292/

Back pain is a problem that can really blight your life, and more and more of us are starting to suffer from it thanks to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Although back pain generally isn’t caused by anything serious, chronic pain can have serious repercussions on your life. To stave it off, make sure that you get up and move around at least once every half an hour, and ensure that you start exercising gently – walking or yoga should help out.

Dizziness

https://pixabay.com/en/worried-girl-woman-waiting-sitting-413690/

Dizziness is a problem that affects a lot of people. Whether it’s a headrush when you stand up and occasional lightheadedness or prolonged periods of dizziness or disorientation, you should get to the doctor to get checked out. There are a number of different conditions that are associated with dizziness, like vertigo, which is when the world might spin and seem distorted – it can take months to recover from and is caused by problems with the ears. Other problems can include labyrinthitis, which is an inner ear infection that can cause hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness, or Meniere’s disease, which involves episodes of spinning and occasional hearing loss. Meniere’s disease treatment can help to restore the body’s natural sense of balance.

Unexplained Bleeding

https://pixabay.com/en/girl-female-she-her-lady-femme-839613/

If you’re a woman then hopefully you’re going regularly to your gynaecologist to get yourself checked for any irregular cells. Although these check ups might be uncomfortable, they’re a lot less uncomfortable than any illness like cervical cancer might be if it goes untreated! Before the menopause, every woman should have their own monthly cycle – although obviously some women are more irregular than that. If you experience irregular bleeding, or you’re filling up a pad or tampon in an hour, or you’re passing big clots then it’s time to talk to your doctor so that you can work together to find a solution that makes your life more comfortable and easy.

Chest Pain

https://pixabay.com/en/girl-young-woman-glare-sky-1031374/

With chest pain it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We all know that chest pain can indicate that you might be having a heart attack or that you’re suffering from heart disease – other symptoms include sweating, shortness of breath, nausea and pressure. Even if you aren’t having a heart attack, chest pain could be indicative of another heart problem like a blood clot. It’s important to get help instead of attempting to tough it out.